Rape suspect says he had sex with girl

Rape suspect sayshe had sex with girl WARREN -- A 26-year-old Warren man facing three rape charges and one charge of kidnapping, acknowledged on the witness stand Tuesday that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl. James Purdy, who spoke in his own defense Tuesday, told jurors he forced the girl to comply. Atty. Anthony Consoldane, who represents Purdy, said his client is borderline mentally retarded. The jury, which began hearing the case Monday, was to begin deliberations today. Police said Purdy raped the girl July 6, 2000, in Packard Park. Gas station robbery NILES -- An early-morning gas station robbery is under investigation. Police said two men with a knife robbed the Speedway station at 120 Vienna Ave. shortly after midnight today. The robbers took cash and cigarettes. Howland chili cook-off HOWLAND -- There will be a chili cook-off from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Howland High School. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and children 10 and under. Chili, mild, hot or atomic, corn bread or Italian bread and a beverage will be served. Proceeds will go to the levy committee and Howland athletics programs. Child care openings GIRARD -- St. Rose Sunny Days Child Care Center is taking reservations for the fall sessions of preschool, its before- and after-school program and nursery school classes. Call Mary Ellen Monroe at the center (330) 545-1490. Weight-loss group GIRARD -- St. Rose Church's Light Weigh program starts Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in Room 37 of the old building of St. Rose School. Light Weigh is a 12-week Catholic video spiritual growth weight loss program. There is a one-time fee for materials. Call (330) 545-1525. Grief recovery program WARREN -- The Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Northeast Ohio are offering a grief recovery program, beginning Oct. 1. The sessions are conducted periodically over five Mondays. These will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Howland Community Church on state Route 46. Call (330) 841-5487 or (800) 862-3090. Remembrance service WARREN -- The Day of Remembrance service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Park Ave. The annual event to commemorate those killed by violence is sponsored by the Trumbull County Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children. This year's observance includes those lost in last week's terrorist attacks. After the service, there will be a procession to the Trumbull County administration building for a candle-lighting ceremony and balloon launch. Senior finance meeting LORDSTOWN -- A series of seminars on personal finance for senior citizens scheduled to start next month at the village administration building has been canceled. American Heart Walks NILES -- The American Heart Walk for Trumbull County will be Saturday at Cafaro Field, behind Eastwood Mall. The walk for the Mahoning/Northern Columbiana counties area will be in Boardman Township Park. Registration for both is at 8 a.m., and the walks begin at 9. Breast cancer campaign BOARDMAN -- The National Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer Campaign will be conducted locally from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Southern Park Mall near the main concourse. For a $4 donation, participants can choose one of six lipstick shades and kiss a Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer postcard, which will be displayed at the mall. Dancers enter pleas YOUNGSTOWN -- Four exotic dancers arrested in June during an undercover sting at Da-Bing on Market Street have pleaded no contest in municipal court to disorderly conduct. Found guilty and fined $100 each were Faith Rager, 23, and Hope Rager, 28, both of Loveland Road; Kellie Csernik, 28, of Clifton Drive, Boardman, and Nicole Hedland, 20, of Rhoda Avenue, Youngstown.